The Nonprofit Reframe

🎙️ The Nonprofit Reframe – Special Episode: Because We Can’t Stay Quiet 🧨 Why This Episode Now? It’s been two years since their last episode, but Brittny and Nia return for a one-time special because the nonprofit sector is in crisis — and staying quiet is not an option. From funding freezes to increased political hostility and burnout, nonprofits are struggling under immense pressure. Brittny an...

This is it, folks, our very last episode. At least for now. Never say never, and all of that. But we wanted to leave you with some reflections from the 150 episodes we’ve done of this show. We’ve made some great memories and laughed and raged and we hope you’ve enjoyed what we’ve created here about the nonprofit sector and all of its ups and downs.  In today’s episode, we’re reflecting on the...

Volunteers are such an important part of nonprofit organizations, but we don’t always treat them the way we should and it leads to big time burnout. Volunteers give their time because they believe in a cause and want to support it, but so often they get taken advantage of and it needs to stop.  In today’s episode, we’re talking about how volunteers need to set boundaries with their time and s...

It’s that time again - Nia’s favorite episode of the year on data from Giving USA! It’s interesting to review this 2022 report and see the correlations that are happening in our immediate nonprofit worlds, but also the disparities. So much has changed and the future of giving looks kind of bleak, especially when you consider the impact of inflation.  In today’s episode, we’re taking a look ba...

It’s planning time for fall event season and we’ve seen some big “don'ts” when it comes to event programs. Chaos often ensues when the appropriate planning hasn’t been done beforehand and all the stakeholders are not on the same page. Trust us.  In today’s episode, we’re sharing our tips on how to structure your event program to have a successful event for your nonprofit organization and keep...

Lately, we’ve worked with a lot of people who have retired or left their careers in the for-profit sector and entered the nonprofit sector, and we’re kind of pissed about it. The implication is that nonprofit jobs are somehow lesser or easier to handle. Spoiler alert: nonprofits aren’t a cake walk! In today’s episode, we’re diving into making the jump from for-profit to nonprofit. We talk about wh...

You hear about endowments a lot in our field, usually associated with universities. But what about endowments from a fundraiser’s perspective? What are they? How do they work? What’s the point of them?  In today’s episode, that’s exactly what we’re talking about. Shout out to the listener who suggested this topic! We’re discussing how an endowment can be seen as a status symbol, what fundrais...

We’ve just finished our first ever Patreon book club pick, The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex and we have so many thoughts. Not all of them are good. In fact, they are downright infuriating in terms of the power imbalance in nonprofit funding.  In today’s episode, we’re giving you our high-level summary and review of the significant points of the book....

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are charitable giving tools with a lot of complexity and ambiguity. So how can nonprofit staff engage donors in discussions about using them more effectively (or dismantling them all together)? We talk about a guide Nia and her colleague Maegan wrote for nonprofits to start conversations, make more informed decisions, and ultimately, disrupt the lack of DAF giving. In to...

We live in the nonprofit world, day in and day out, so naturally, we know quite a bit about how it operates. But how much does the average American know? Not so much, it turns out. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the results of a survey put out by Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, “What Americans Think about Philanthropy and Nonprofit.” We learned some very interest...

The nonprofit world is not exempt from the every day realities of racism, tax schemes, and even sexual assault. However, considering the mission and values of these organizations… you’d hope that behavior would at least be called out and appropriately dealt with when it appears within a nonprofit.  In today’s episode, we’re discussing why that is unfortunately not always the case, the culture...

Religious organizations that provide human services programming can be incredibly problematic and Nia is fired up about it. Without oversight, these organizations can require religious participation in order for people to receive their services, among other issues. Talk about messed up. In today’s episode, we’re chatting about the different types of religious organizations, why the ones providing...

It’s truly amazing to think how far technology has come. We now live in an era where an AI tool exists that will write a pretty dang good podcast introduction, essay, or fundraising plan. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, it is … and it isn’t. In today’s episode, we’re talking about ChatGPT and how you can use AI tools in nonprofit fundraising specifically, but also in university messa...

Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore. The proverbial house has fallen on AmazonSmile, and it is dead as a doornail. Uproar and opinions of all kinds are circulating in regard to this news. We, on the other hand, could not be more relieved. In today’s episode, we’re explaining how AmazonSmile worked, how it didn’t actually serve or benefit nonprofits in any significant way, misconceptions around the p...

Working in a nonprofit is meaningful and rewarding work for most of us. But let’s be real – it’s also a fast-track to burnout and overwork as we try to create a world that is better for everyone. Enter the sabbatical: a solution backed by research that can help staff and directors recover, refuel, and revitalize their creativity and enthusiasm. In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Hayden Dansky...

DEI training for nonprofits spiked in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. But how many organizations have actually kept up with internal DEI work? A one-time seminar to check a box and give a pat on the back isn’t going to cut it. DEI training that actually makes an impact and creates a lasting change requires planning, dedication to the principles, and – shocking, we know – more than a single...

You’re familiar with the model that we’re talking about today. You buy something, and with your purchase, something—whether an item or money—is donated to a person or organization. Buy one, give one. But what if those on the receiving end aren’t actually getting anything they need? In today’s episode, we’re sharing three examples of buy one, give one corporate philanthropy (TOMS, Warby Parker, and...

Your year-end fundraising is over and last year's goals are in the rearview mirror. Time to rest, take some time off, and celebrate right?! (Yeah, we’re laughing right along with you.) Nonprofit staff are notorious for not resting, not creating boundaries, and as a result, burning themselves out. And it’s a disservice to your organization, sure, but also you, as a human being! In today’s episode,...

We’ve talked a lot about fundraising, and this episode is no different (tis’ the season). Today, we’re focusing on the most important rule of fundraising: Do no harm.  On the surface, it might seem unbelievable to think that you can harm your mission through fundraising efforts (all organizations need money, right?), but the way you frame your messaging as you ask for funds can either support...

Donors are critical to your organization, but it’s about more than just a transaction or future donation. Fostering genuine relationships with your donors is crucial—not only for the growth and success of your organization, but also for community building. In today’s episode, we’re talking about why you should get to know the donors you already have because, let’s face it, it’s easier to retain do...

All organizations will experience a time when an ED/CEO, Development Director, or another higher level role, makes plans to leave. Sometimes you have notice—a year, if you’re really lucky—and sometimes, you don’t. This can feel like a time that is hectic and scary, but if you have plans in place, it can, in fact, run smoothly. In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to handle interim roles, wh...

Committees are a really hot topic in the nonprofit world. You can create a committee for almost anything and comprise it of staff, board members, and/or volunteers. But, how do you create a committee that’s actually useful—both to the organization and those involved? In today’s episode, we’re talking about all things committees: from how to manage expectations and accountability, to good examples...

We’re back! After a year-long hiatus, the Nonprofit Reframe podcast is back with more nonprofit content, stories, and laughs. It’s that time of the year that nonprofits know and love and dread and hate: year-end giving.   There’s a lot to juggle when it comes to sending year-end appeals to your donors. In today’s episode, we’re talking about why year-end appeals are important, using mail...

Our first episode back from hiatus is coming out on October 24! If you want to catch up with us, become a member at our all new Patreon site for behind the scenes content and the Lost Episode. Photo Cred: All Digital Photo and Video Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brittny and Nia share a special announcement about the podcast in this minisode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.